State news in Texas
State
Texas Supreme Court Dismisses ‘Unlawful’ Attempt to Discipline Leadership in AG’s Office
The case stems from the State Bar’s attempt to discipline AG Ken Paxton and First Assistant AG Brent Webster over Texas’ suit challenging the 2020 election.
State Reps. Call on Texas Medical Board to Terminate Director Who Works for Planned Parenthood
State Reps. Briscoe Cain and Brian Harrison are urging the board to terminate Medical Director Dr. Robert Bredt.
Meet the Freshmen: Shelley Luther
Luther made state and national headlines in 2020 when she was jailed after refusing to close her salon during the COVID-19 shutdowns.
More Texas Teachers Target Students for Sex Crimes
In 2024, nearly 100 educators statewide were accused of sexually exploiting children.
State Archive
Senator to TEC: ‘Do Americans have a right to free speech?’
At a Texas Senate hearing on ethics laws, an official with the Texas Ethics Commission crumbled in the face of basic questions about Texans’ constitutional rights. State Sen. Van Taylor (R–Plano) opened by asking TEC Executive Director Natalia Ashley if Americans have...
Texas Agencies Foretell Doom and Despair Over Budget Cuts
Normally state agency appropriation requests are about as interesting as a Sky Mall magazine, but many this year have the makings of a Stephen King novel and conjure doomsday scenarios that would make even Chicken Little blush. So what gives? Why the doom and gloom...
Abbott Appoints Two to TEC
With the Texas Ethics Commission under strict scrutiny and conservative groups calling for reform of the agency that has been weaponized to attack the free speech rights of Texans, Abbott has appointed two new members to the body. In May, six of the state’s largest...
TEC Doubles Down on Lois Lerner Group
Four commissioners of the Texas Ethics Commission are doubling down on their agency’s involvement in an international organization of speech regulators that once gave its highest award to disgraced IRS Director Lois Lerner. In a letter last month to lawmakers, TEC...
Is Wolens the “Best Possible Democrat?”
After House Speaker Joe Straus’ plans to appoint a far-left Austin Democrat to the Texas Ethics Commission were spoiled, his sycophantic supporters in the Texas House Republican Caucus came to his defense. But have the promises emanating from the GOP caucus proven...
State Lawmaker Double Dipping On Her Way Out
With criminal investigators hot on her trail, one Austin lawmaker is announcing that she will “retire” from the legislature – but not before doing her best to cash out. As a member of the Texas House for over twenty years, State Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin) has never...
Straus TEC Appointment Signals Continued War Against Conservatives
Monday’s appointment by Texas House Speaker Joe Straus of a Dallas Democrat to the Texas Ethics Commission is another piece of evidence that Straus intends to continue using the TEC as a weapon in his war against the conservative grassroots. Straus (R–San Antonio) is...
Rewarding Bad Results
Legislators who work against the interests of taxpayers tend to have an easier time raising money than conservatives. The crony interests in Austin pad their pockets with government spending and then share that cash with legislators who keep the programs going. For...
Senator Fights Back Against ABA Speech Code
One Texas state senator is fighting back against new rules that would limit the constitutional rights of Texas attorneys. Last month the American Bar Association adopted a new provision to its Model Rules of Professional Conduct that would punish attorneys for...